Year: 2025

Lawyer petitions EFCC Chairman over alleged land grabbing by officials

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A prominent Nigerian lawyer, Alexander Oketa, has petitioned the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged land-grabbing activities by some officials of the Commission.   The disputed land, located at Plot 680-689, Cadastral Zone Bo6, Mabushi, Abuja, has been the subject of a six-year legal battle between Jona Brothers Construction Limited and Chief Michael Adeojo, owner of Elizade Motors. Despite multiple court rulings in favor of Jona Brothers Construction Limited and its partner, Uche Vincent, EFCC officials allegedly intervened, declaring Chief Adeojo as the rightful…

IWD 2025: Atus demands bold action to close gender gap

Emporium Reporters

Alhaji Ismaila Yusuf Atus, Managing Director of Atus West African Investment, has issued a stark warning regarding the slow pace of gender equality, emphasising the urgent need for systemic change to close the global gender gap. In a statement to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, he highlighted alarming disparities in pay, funding, and leadership opportunities for women. Atus referenced troubling statistics, including a 20% global wage gap and the fact that only 10% of global funding reaches female-led startups, despite evidence that women-led businesses yield higher returns. He stressed…

College of Education Ankpa – The Mandate Before Dr Fashagba Femi Paul By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

Emporium Reporters

The appointment of Dr. Fashagba Femi Paul as the Provost of Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, is a masterstroke in academic leadership. With an impressive track record in academia, administration, and professional excellence, he is undoubtedly the right person to lead the institution into a new era of transformation. His wealth of experience and outstanding credentials make him well-suited for the task ahead, one that requires vision, strategic planning, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Dr. Fashagba’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Having served as the Director of…

Mark, Ogbeha greets Ndoma-Egba @ 69 …… describes him as a leader with a difference

Abubakar Yusuf

Former President of the Senate , Senator David Mark and his compatriot Senator Tunde Ogbeha have sent massages of felicitation to former Senate Leader Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN on his 69th birthday. In a separate good will messages to the former Senate Leader, the duo described him as a distinguished parliamentarian and leader with a difference. Senator Ndoma-Egba was deputy Senate Leader between 2007 and 2011 and Senate Leader between 2011 and 2015 when Mark held sway as President of the Senate. Specifically, Senator Mark recalled that Senator Ndoma-Egba ‘s…

IWD 2025: Orelope-Adefulire Reaffirms Commitment to Advancing Women’s Welfare and Accelerating Action

Abubakar Yusuf

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has reaffirmed her office’s dedication to implementing policies and initiatives aimed at advancing the welfare and well-being of women and the girl-child, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Her remarks were contained in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Desmond Utomwen, to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day, celebrated under the theme ‘Accelerate Action’. Princess Orelope-Adefulire noted that this year’s IWD theme serves as a…

My Natasha Comments on Arise: How Leaders Miss Golden Opportunities, By Frank Tietie

Emporium Reporters

On Thursday, I was feeling unwell after two sleepless nights spent working on a fundamental human rights matter when the producer/director informed me that I was scheduled to appear on Arise News Night to discuss the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate. I considered declining the assignment, especially since laryngitis had set in that afternoon and I was losing my voice. However, I was unhappy with the Senate’s decision and felt that this might be my only opportunity to express my thoughts on the matter in mainstream…

International Women’s Day: 132 Years Is Too Long to Close the Gender Gap – Tuzzi

Emporium Reporters

The Chief Light Bearer of Lightbulb Consults, Tuzzi Atuzie, has raised concerns over the slow pace of gender equality, warning that at this rate, it will take 132 years to close the global gender gap. In a statement marking International Women’s Day, Tuzzi called for urgent action to address persistent disparities in pay, funding, and leadership opportunities for women. She highlighted alarming statistics: a 20% global wage gap and only 10% of global funding reaching female-led startups, despite research showing that women-led businesses yield higher returns. “These numbers expose the…

Tinubu and the Trillion-dollar Economy by 2030- a leap of faith or another Jamboree? By Abdullahi O. Haruna Haruspice

Emporium Reporters

Tinubu’s administration has set its sights on a bold and transformative economic vision, reaffirming its commitment to bridging financial gaps and fostering inclusive growth across Nigeria. In a significant move to accelerate this agenda, Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion, a strategic initiative aimed at positioning Nigeria as a trillion-dollar economy by 2030. The event, held at the State House Banquet Hall, also marked the signing of a landmark investment agreement under the Aso Accord Initiative, a key pillar of the administration’s Renewed…

Akpoti-Uduaghan and the emerging controversies By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, stemming from her allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of office against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reveals a deeper issue within Nigeria’s political system. This incident, among others, raises questions about Nigeria’s claim to being a republic, as it exhibits characteristics of a feudal system, where social and economic relationships are defined by patron-client attachments.   In the case of the senate president, a lot has been revealed about the misogynistic nature of much of the Nigerian state. This issue has…

NHRC marks International Women’s Day, calls for Gender equality in governance

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, has expressed concern over the persistent gap between policies promoting women’s rights and their actual implementation, which has contributed to a decline in women’s political representation and governance.   Speaking in commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8, Dr. Ojukwu highlighted the challenges in achieving Nigeria’s 35% affirmative action for women, described it as a daunting task that seems increasingly elusive.   He acknowledged the government’s efforts in supporting women’s empowerment, citing initiatives…